Five articles concerning college reading instruction are included in this special interest journal. Karen L. Pelz, William E. Pelz, and David L. Stritmater present a study of input sequence, exposure, and modality effects on recognition memory, which revealed that students who read assignments and attended lectures performed better on tests on the…

A prescriptive teaching program developed by the teachers of Madison Elementary School, Fargo, North Dakota, is described in the brochure. The students are from low income families; the majority of the teachers have received their training at the New School of Behavioral Studies, University of North Dakota. In determining what is best for each…

Foreign summer language programs offer many advantages to students, but students may only receive superficial contact with the host culture and language and may be motivated only by their wish to have a memorable experience abroad. Suggestions are presented to ensure academic validity of such programs in the areas of motivation, academic credit,…

Describes a method for re-enacting presidential elections as a classroom activity, stressing the importance of student involvement in learning. Provides a way to structure each election for classroom instruction and suggests some of the more significant elections to study. Includes a number of nineteenth century election songs as examples of…

Two programs were designed at Millersville University (Pennsylvania) to stimulate interest in science and mathematics: (1) academically talented students from grades 4-11 attend science lectures/demonstrations and participate in a science knowledge competition, and (2) secondary teachers and students in grades 8-11 participate in hands-on…

Six computer programs were used for English as a foreign language classes at Sana's University (Yemen) to stimulate whole-class activities (as opposed to small group or individualized activities commonly associated with use of computers). The software, involving spelling, repetition, spoken discourse, games, and map work, was merged into more…

Describes learning systems developed at TVOntario, a public educational television network in Canada that provides services in both English and French. Results of evaluations of four distance education courses are reported, including formative and summative evaluation procedures, learner demographics, motivation for enrollment, use of the system…

Presents a case study of the library media program at Old High Elementary School, Bentonville, Arkansas, which uses production of audiovisual materials to build extrinsic motivation into reading programs for grades five and six and special education classes. Five measurement techniques used to evaluate the program's effectiveness are also…

The importance of attudinal and motivational dispositions and of external influences on the academic achievement of students completing the final year of secondary schooling in three Australian states is examined. A model of academic achievement is proposed, and step-wise multiple regression is used to analyze the data. (Author/MLW)

This study of two fifth grade classes investigated students' reports of attention, understanding, cognitive processes and affect during a nine-day mathematics unit on measurement. These self-reports appeared more valid indicators of classroom learning than observed time on task. Student affect mediated the relationship between instructional…

In the 1900s, distance education attempted to mimic the traditional classroom lecture via the transmission of live or "canned" broadcasts, regardless of the technologies used: satellite, television, film, or radio. These kinds of media predisposed distance education (DE) to closely adhere to the lecture (sit and absorb) model, where…

Examines the mastery learning model as proposed by Carroll and Bloom in the context of science instruction, addressing issues related to classroom application. Discusses expected results of implementing mastery learning and its impact on students and teachers, recognizing the additional burden on teacher time required by mastery learning…

Analyzes responses to a questionnaire from 10 samples of primary and secondary school students from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Canada. The questionnaire covered learning strategies, approaches, and motivation. These data were then analyzed using six different structural equation models. Includes discussion of the models…

Describes the use of the principles of challenging work, student autonomy, and student collaboration to involve students in constructing mathematical meaning as part of the regular curriculum. Challenge is created by the material and by the classroom environment to encourage student interest and thinking. Autonomy is encouraged by leading students…

Presents a personal perspective of a young teacher from a rural background and his experiences teaching music in an all-boys high school in New York City's South Bronx. Includes brief recommendations for creative and innovative ideas to motivate students and keep them focused. (MJP)